Cricket: Botha under renewed bowling action scrutiny

Cricket: Botha under renewed bowling action scrutiny

Former South Africa allrounder Johan Botha has been ordered to undergo biomechanical testing again after once again being cited for a suspect bowling action, Cricket Australia said Monday.

The 31-year-old South Australia captain will still be eligible to play and bowl but would face suspension if the analysis proves his action is illegal.

Cricket Australia said that three umpires in a match must agree on a suspect bowling delivery, but it did not say in which game Botha had been reported.

South Australia have played one domestic one-day cup match this season, a six-wicket loss to Victoria on Friday in which the offspinner finished with no wicket for 39 off nine overs.

"Under CA's Doubtful Bowling Action Procedure, a bowler must undergo testing after a single mention for a suspected illegal bowling action in an interstate season," CA said in a statement.

"CA's policy requires cited bowlers to undergo testing within 14 days of being notified."

Botha was reported for a suspect action following his Test debut for South Africa against Australia in Sydney in January 2006 and was subsequently banned from bowling by the International Cricket Council.

He was cleared later that year but following a one-dayer gainst Australia in Port Elizabeth in 2009 Botha was reported once again and it was ruled that his action while bowling the 'doosra' (a ball that turns away from a right-hander, as opposed to a conventional off-spinner which turns towards him) was illegal and he was banned from bowling it.

Botha has made five Test appearances as well as playing 78 one-day internationals and 40 Twenty20s for South Africa.

The South Australia Cricket Association (SACA) said it would back Botha.

"We acknowledge that there is a process to be undertaken and the SACA will support Johan and work with him though this process," SACA's director of cricket Jamie Cox said.

"Johan will continue to lead our team in this week's one-day cup fixtures."